Holland Michigan

Hi we are gonna be up in Holland for 3 days any spots nearby worth seeking out.

johnnyb62


Hi we are gonna be up in Holland for 3 days any spots nearby worth seeking out.

 
I haven't been in Holland much but we enjoyed a snackl and drinks New Holland Brewing Company a month ago.  New Holland is a brew pub and I highly recommend the Cellarman's Platter.  Years ago when I traveled that way a lot for work I used to enjoy the 8th Street Grill.

I was up that way as part of a 10-state vacation last month. I loved the Hungry Dutchman Cafe, part of the Nelis' Dutch Village collection of shops on James Street.  The mettwurst platter was good, but the best was the saucijzebroodjes, a sausage wrapped in puff pastry. The edam cheese on currant bun was kind of bland, and I didn't try the pea soup or pork-beef croquettes, though they came highly rated.
 
Dessert-wise, the banket was great! The Dutch apple pie looked good, as well, though I had to pass. If you go, be sure to check out the candy shop next door. Its fudge has been voted the best in Michigan, and the cashew brittle was pretty tasty.  It also carries seafoam (cinder toffe), as well as West Coast candies like Big Hunk, Look and Uno, which I can't get very easily on my side of the continent.
 
The adjoining shops sell a selection of dutch spice cookies and stroopwaffles, which were pretty amazing in their own right. I got my dad some huckleberry jam and my barbecue-happy friend a bottle of blueberry barbecue sauce (also available as a blueberry-beer barbecue sauce) from there. No reports back yet on what they were like.

We've made a few trips to the whole Holland/Grand Rapids area over the years.  Looking through my reference folder, I found a couple of menus from places I thought were worthwhile.  First up is The Ottawa Beach Inn.  It's a cute little place near the water; the kind of joint the locals visit after a day of boating.  It's a no-nonsense menu with a handful of sandwiches, a selection of burgers and dozen or so steak and fish entrees.  Nothing fancy, but it's a very cozy place that's popular with tourists and townies alike.
 
Even more casual is a local chain called Russ'.  They're a localized version of the old Big Boy style restaurants.  They have their own double-decker burger featuring a house made green olive dressing.  I didn't think it sounded good, but, following the "wanderingjew rule", decided I should try it just because it was a local specialty.  Turned out to be a pretty good burger.  I would even go back for another if I was ever in the area.
 
Just up the road from Holland is Grand Rapids.  Plenty of options up there.  Yesterdog, over in the East Town neighborhood, is worth a stop, if only for the total experience.  The chilidogs are, IMHO, just so-so, but the full package of ambiance and food makes it a good Roadfood place.
 
That's the best of what I have for now.  Have a great trip!
 
Buddy
 
The Ottawa Beach Inn
2155 Ottawa Beach Rd.
Holland, MI
(616) 399-9220
 
Russ'
10 North River Avenue
Holland, MI
(616) 392-6300

1060 Lincoln Avenue
Holland, MI
(616) 396-4036

3440 128th Avenue
Holland
(616) 399-7084

Yesterdog
1505 Wealthy Street Southeast
Grand Rapids, MI
(616) 262-3090

^Piggybacking on Buddy's comments, if you travels do take you through Grand Rapids, the Grand Coney Diner (809 Michigan St. NE) is also a good stop. They have two different styles of Coney dogs to choose from, and the base Koegel hot dog is pretty good on its own.
 
The day I was there, they had sweet potato tots with marshmallow sauce as a special side. I was going to try some for dessert.  Unfortunately, they ran out and were scratching them off the board just as I was seated.
 
I agree with the Yesterdog assessment. The dogs were so-so, though the grated pickles on top were interesting, but the decor was something else! I found the staff to be a little pushy and borderline rude, in a hurry to get me through the "line," even though there was only one other customer in the whole joint, so you may want to prepare for that if you go. Otherwise, not a bad experience.

When last in Grand Rapids around two years ago, Grand Coney was excellent and like a 71678 mentioned, they carry both Detroit style and Flint style coneys.  We loved the place!  And as BuddyRoadhouse mentioned, the atmosphere at Yesterdog was enjoyable, but the hot dogs were average at best.
 
Grand Rapids also has a Grand Traverse Pie Company.

^Yes, it does! I highly recommend the blueberry crumb. Heated, of course.

a71678-
I am trying to remember the name of another restaurant we stopped at south of Holland that is best known for pies.  It is out in the country.  Not having much luck digging up the name so far.

Ah, here it is!  Try Crane's Pie Pantry in Fennville, south of Holland.  We thought the regular food was mediocre, but the really good pie made the visit worthwhile.

I live near Holland and have enjoyed several restaurants there.
 
First, a comment:  Crane's is terrific for pies but the meals are so-so.  Buy a pie to take out and enjoy.
 
In Holland, one very good choice is Salt and Pepper located east of town in a strip mall.  A nicely varied menu and atmosphere:
 

 
Considering it is Holland, a surprisingly excellent Italian restaurant is Pereddies in a delightful neighborhood:
 

 
Crazy Horse Steakhouse and Saloon offers very good steaks, excellent corn chowder and a varied menu.
 

 
The New Holland Brewing Company is a good brewery downtown.

 
Enjoy
 
Steve

Sorry, I inserted web site locations but they do not appear in my writeup.  You should be able to find them easily.
 
Steve

Kewpee's burger man-
To keep the spammers at bay, the powers that be don't allow posters to attach links until a certain amount of posts.  I think that number is approximately 20.
 
Here are the links you mentioned:
 
Salt and Pepper,  Pereddies,  Crazy Horse Steakhouse
 
Thanks for the helpful suggestions and welcome to Roadfood!

Their Pies and Strudels are AWESOME!  Never had a meal at Crane's, so I can't comment on their other foods.